How to Cook Tofu Like the Pros: Dry-fry and Marinate Method. If you are a vegetarian, you know it well--tofu disaster, slimy tofu dishes where the tofu has disintegrated into a flavorless mush. How do restaurants do it? My special method uses dry-frying and marinating, resulting in firm, flavorful tofu that leaves even meat-eaters impressed. If you are a vegetarian or vegan who would love to make your own delicious tofu dishes at home, this recipe is perfect for you. Pass this web page along to your friends and family as well, and, when you visit for dinner, you will no longer have to subsist on side dishes or choke down their well meant but disastrous attempts at tofu.
Dry-Fried and Marinated Tofu for Stir-Fries and Other Dishes Needed: One 16 ounce brick of extra-firm tofu for every four people.Cutting board and knifeCloth Napkin or dish towelTeflon pan OR a very well-seasoned cast-iron pan *SpatulaPrepared marinade in a bowl (see recipes at end for suggestions) Preparation: (First, prepare your marinade. Tofu comes packed in water. Dry-frying: Measurements.
Spice Advice. The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat. Print Photography Credit: Elise Bauer There are two basic methods to test for how done your meat is while you are cooking it—use a meat thermometer, or press on the meat with your fingertips. The problem with the meat thermometer approach is that when you poke a hole into the meat with a thermometer, it can let juices escape, juices that you would rather have stay in the meat.
For this reason, most experienced cooks rely on a “finger test” method, especially on steaks (whole roasts are better tested with a thermometer). My mother has been trying to get me to test meat with my fingertips for years, and for years, being somewhat of a scaredy cat (won’t it burn my fingers?) Then my friend David showed me up. Now the point of this story is not to embarrass David (though that would be fun, if it were even possible) but to encourage you, if like me, you’ve been shying away from trying this approach.
This is one of those things that gets easier with practice. MethodHide Photos Hello!